Joe Casey
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The 2023-24 UEFA Champions League rolls on as quarterfinal action gets started this week. We have a couple of mouthwatering matchups to kick off the first legs, as current EPL table-toppers Arsenal host German giants Bayern Munich, while in the other game we have Real Madrid hosting last year’s UCL winners Manchester City. Our soccer experts have their Champions League picks and best bets for each of those games, with both scheduled to kick off at 3:00 pm ET on Paramount+. You can also find out our soccer predictions for more Champions League picks as well as our EPL best bets each week.
Arsenal vs Bayern Munich best bet: Arsenal ML & both teams to score (+230)
Bayern Munich’s season has been one to forget so far and they are looking set for a first trophyless campaign since 2011-2012, unless they can upset the odds and land the Champions League. However, that looks unlikely given their torrid run of form. The German giants have won just 4 of their last 10 games, losing to Bundesliga relegation candidates Bochum and inconsistent Lazio in that run, and they come into this huge matchup with no momentum, having followed up their Der Klassiker defeat with a 3-2 loss at mid-table Heidenheim. Their road form is a real cause for concern as Thomas Tuchel’s men have won just 1 of their last 6 on their travels, which is bad news ahead of their trip to the Emirates, where Arsenal have won 6 on the spin.
The Gunners have won 11 of their 14 games in 2024, notably earning 4 wins by a margin of five or more goals as well as a convincing 3-1 victory over EPL title rivals Liverpool in that run, and Mikel Arteta’s men will be confident they can reverse the form of recent meetings with the Bavarians.
While Arsenal may prove too strong for Bayern, they may struggle to contain their visitors completely. Tuchel’s men may have been woeful in recent weeks, but they are still capable of scoring at a frightening rate and despite a poor run of form, Munich have netted 24 times in their last 8 games. The Gunners have seen both teams score in 3 of their last 5 at home, so it could pay to back Bayern to net, albeit in defeat, in north London on Tuesday.
Read our full Arsenal vs Bayern Munich predictions
Real Madrid vs Manchester City best bet: Over 2.5 goals (-128)
One thing that has been a consistent feature of the 4 meetings between Real Madrid and Manchester City over the last two seasons has been goals, with 17 of them have been scored in total and over 3.5 goals has landed in 3 of those 4 meetings. Both teams have found the net in 6 of Manchester City’s last 8 games in all competitions and injuries to Kyle Walker and Nathan Ake significantly weaken their defense. Against a Real Madrid team that has seen 5 of their last 7 games in this competition go over 2.5 goals, a high-scoring matchup looks likely once again.
Read our full Real Madrid vs Manchester City predictions
